As the Liga MX Apertura season continues, Querétaro FC is set to host Atlas FC on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the Estadio Corregidora. While both teams are looking to improve their standings, the fixture carries a heavy historical weight, recalling one of the darkest days in Mexican football history.
Currently, the two clubs find themselves in the lower half of the league table. Querétaro has had a dismal start to the season, sitting in 18th place with zero points after four consecutive losses. They have struggled offensively, scoring only one goal while conceding seven. Atlas is faring slightly better, positioned 15th with four points from one win, one draw, and two losses. They have scored seven goals but have allowed eleven, indicating defensive vulnerabilities.
The head-to-head record favors the visitors. In their last five encounters, Atlas has secured three victories to Querétaro’s one, with one match ending in a draw. The most recent clash in April 2025 saw Atlas defeat Querétaro 2-1 at this very stadium. Overall, the historical record between the two sides stands at 17 wins for Atlas, 9 for Querétaro, and 5 draws.
However, any discussion of a match between these two teams at the Estadio Corregidora is incomplete without acknowledging the tragic events of March 5, 2022. During a league match, a violent riot erupted between the clubs’ fan groups, known as *barras*. The horrific scenes, which showed fans being brutally attacked, led to the match being suspended in the 62nd minute. According to official reports from Querétaro’s civil protection agency, the brawl resulted in at least 26 non-fatal injuries. While rumors of fatalities circulated widely on social media, authorities did not officially confirm any deaths.
The repercussions were swift and severe. Liga MX handed down unprecedented sanctions against Querétaro FC. The club was forced to play all home matches behind closed doors for one year, its owners were banned from league activities for five years and compelled to sell the team, and its associated *barras* were banned from home games for three years. The abandoned match was officially awarded to Atlas as a 3-0 victory. The incident also prompted the league to implement new security measures, including a push for facial recognition and mandatory fan IDs for supporters’ groups.
Returning to the present, both teams are in need of a positive result. Querétaro will be desperate to secure their first points of the season and give their home fans something to cheer about. Key players like midfielder Pablo Barrera will be crucial in creating offensive opportunities. For Atlas, forward Eduardo Aguirre, who has a history of performing well against Querétaro, will be a player to watch, along with Diego González, who leads the team in assists. The betting odds reflect the teams’ current form, with Atlas entering the match as the favorite.
As the teams prepare to take the field, the memory of 2022 will undoubtedly linger. The hope for fans, players, and officials alike is for a safe and competitive match that is remembered for the action on the pitch, allowing the sport to move forward from a dark chapter in its history.
